Baker (Guilds)

BAKER STRATEGY GUIDE

Baker is a $5 action card from the Guilds expansion that provides +1 Card, +1 Action, and lets you take a Coin token. It's notable for being one of the few cards that gives players Coin tokens during setup, meaning everyone starts with one before the game begins. Let's dive deep into how to use Baker effectively.

BASIC CHARACTERISTICS

The baseline effects of Baker are: - Draw 1 card - Get 1 action - Gain 1 Coin token - Everyone starts with 1 Coin token

At its core, Baker is a cantrip (it replaces itself in your hand and doesn't use up an action) that generates economy through Coin tokens. This makes it fundamentally different from pure cantrips like Laboratory, as it provides economic benefit while maintaining hand size and action count.

COIN TOKENS: THE CORE MECHANIC

Understanding Coin tokens is crucial to evaluating Baker: - Coin tokens can be spent at any time during your Buy phase - Each token is worth $1 - You can spend multiple tokens in one turn - Tokens persist between turns until spent - You can't give them to other players or lose them to attacks

This flexibility makes Coin tokens particularly valuable because: 1. They can help you hit critical price points 2. They can be saved for when you need them most 3. They provide economy without taking up deck space 4. They can't be attacked or stripped away

EARLY GAME STRATEGY

In the opening turns, Baker presents some interesting decisions:

Starting Coin Token Considerations: - Everyone begins with one token - You can either save it for a crucial $6 buy or spend it early - Generally, spending it early to hit $5 is worthwhile if there are strong $5 cards

Opening Buy Decisions: - Baker itself costs $5, making it impossible as a first turn buy - The starting Coin token can help reach $5 on turn 3-4 - Consider whether you want multiple Bakers or other $5 cards

Early Baker Acquisition: Pros: - Helps build economy without bloating deck - Maintains deck velocity - Provides flexible purchasing power

Cons: - Doesn't help thin deck - Doesn't provide +Cards beyond replacing itself - Competes with other strong $5 cards

MIDGAME STRATEGY

Baker's role in the midgame depends heavily on your overall strategy:

Engine Building: - Baker helps engines by maintaining action count - Provides economy without dead treasure cards - Tokens can be saved for key purchases - Works well with card draw and villages

Big Money Variants: - Can supplement traditional Big Money - Tokens allow for more consistent province buying - Less valuable than cards that draw multiple cards - Can help hit price points without deck bloat

Timing Considerations: - Save tokens for critical turns - Can help ensure crucial $8 Province buys - Useful for reaching odd price points ($7 cards) - May want to save tokens for mega-turn strategies

LATE GAME CONSIDERATIONS

As the game progresses, Baker's utility changes:

Advantages: - Tokens become more valuable for Province purchases - Can help ensure consistent $8 turns - Doesn't dilute deck when green cards enter - Flexible economy helps adapt to changing deck composition

Disadvantages: - Drawing Baker instead of payload cards can be weak - May be too slow for racing situations - Limited impact on game-ending turns

SYNERGIES AND COMBINATIONS

Baker works particularly well with several card types:

Draw Engines: - Smithy/Village combinations - Laboratory variants - Draw-to-X cards like Library - Helps maintain economy while building engine

Action-Heavy Strategies: - King's Court/Throne Room chains - Village/Worker's Village variants - Cards that want non-treasure economy

Price Point Helpers: - Bridge - Highway - Quarry - Makes odd costs more achievable

Special Mention Combinations:

1. Merchant Guild
2. Both provide Coin tokens
3. Can create substantial token economies

4. Helps reach high price points consistently

5. Plaza

6. Can convert excess treasures into tokens
7. Creates flexible economy

8. Helps thin deck while maintaining buying power

9. Fortune Teller

10. Baker resists the attack by being an Action
11. Tokens can't be attacked away

12. Helps maintain economy through heavy attacking

13. Herald

14. Can chain Bakers together
15. Maintains action count
16. Creates consistent token generation

COUNTER-STRATEGIES

When opposing Baker strategies:

Speed Considerations: - Baker strategies tend to be moderately paced - Can be outraced by faster engines - Aggressive Province rushing can work

Alternative Economy: - Traditional treasure-based strategies can be faster - Other sources of +Buy may be more important - Consider cards that provide more immediate impact

Attack Cards: - Militia/Witch strategies can work well - Baker's tokens resist attacks - Focus on ending game before token advantage accumulates

KINGDOM CONSIDERATIONS

Factors that make Baker more attractive:

1. Absence of Strong $5 Cards:
2. Less competition for the price point
3. More likely to want multiple copies

4. Can be primary economy engine

5. Engine-Supporting Cards:

6. Villages present
7. Card draw available

8. Action chain enablers

9. Odd-Cost Cards:

10. $7 cards in kingdom
11. Variable cost cards
12. Price reduction effects

Factors that make Baker less attractive:

1. Strong Alternative $5 Cards:
2. Market
3. Laboratory
4. Council Room

5. Direct competition for limited buys

6. Fast Kingdom Configurations:

7. Chapel/Steward enabling quick deck control
8. Strong attack cards

9. Quick ending conditions

10. Better Economy Options:

11. Market Square
12. Merchant
13. Trading Post

NUMBER OF BAKERS TO BUY

The optimal number of Bakers depends on several factors:

Minimal Baker Strategy (1-2 copies): - When supplementing other economy - In big money variants - When competing with other strong $5 cards

Medium Baker Strategy (3-4 copies): - Primary engine component - Main source of non-treasure economy - Balanced kingdom boards

Heavy Baker Strategy (5+ copies): - Token-focused strategies - Action-heavy engines - Absence of better alternatives

TIMING AND SEQUENCING

Playing Baker effectively requires attention to timing:

Early Game: - Play Bakers early in turn - Consider token spending strategy - Plan for critical price points

Mid-Turn: - Use as connection pieces in engines - Save tokens for post-draw decisions - Consider interaction with other actions

Buy Phase: - Decide optimal token usage - Plan future turn economics - Consider opponent's position

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

1. Over-investing in Bakers:
2. Don't buy too many too early
3. Consider opportunity cost

4. Balance with other needs

5. Poor Token Management:

6. Spending tokens unnecessarily
7. Not saving for critical turns

8. Failing to plan token strategy

9. Neglecting Deck Development:

10. Relying too heavily on tokens
11. Ignoring deck thinning

12. Failing to build draw engine

13. Misunderstanding Timing:

14. Playing Bakers in wrong order
15. Poor action sequencing
16. Inefficient token usage

SPECIFIC KINGDOM SCENARIOS

Example Kingdom 1: Engine Building - Baker + Village + Smithy - Focus on building action chains - Use tokens for key components

Example Kingdom 2: Big Money Variant - Baker + Money - Minimal Baker investment - Token optimization for Provinces

Example Kingdom 3: Token Economy - Baker + Plaza + Merchant Guild - Heavy token generation - Flexible purchasing strategy

CONCLUSION

Baker is a solid $5 card that provides consistent, flexible economy while maintaining deck velocity. Its unique setup rule gives players interesting decisions from turn one, and its token generation creates strategic depth throughout the game.

Key Takeaways: 1. Baker excels in engine builds where action count matters 2. Tokens provide flexible, attack-resistant economy 3. Balance Baker purchases with other needs 4. Token management is crucial for optimal play 5. Consider kingdom context for Baker evaluation

While not always a game-defining card, Baker's reliability and flexibility make it a valuable addition to many strategies. Understanding its strengths and limitations allows players to effectively incorporate it into their gameplay plans.